Once Buggy had given his orders, Jessica and the others followed Hogback back to the Splendor, while Montblanc Cricket set off toward Area 13 of the Sabaody Archipelago.
With those two teams gone, Buggy led Tesoro and the remaining crew to shadow the Celestial Dragon from a distance.
This was deliberate—both to avoid being detected by Rosward's agents and to avoid attracting attention from the crowds. Everyone knew the rule: wherever a Celestial Dragon passed, all commoners had to kneel. If Buggy's group stayed too close and refused, they would be immediately exposed. Keeping their distance was the only way to remain unnoticed.
The Celestial Dragon's procession finally stopped in Area 75, a district filled with hotels and inns. Buggy let out a quiet sigh of relief. If Rosward was settling into a hotel, that meant he would not be leaving Sabaody tonight. That gave them far more room to maneuver. If handled carefully, they might even succeed without drawing the attention of a Marine Admiral.
Rosward chose the largest and grandest hotel in the area. Once he entered, all the guests were immediately evicted, and the building was sealed off. No one else was allowed inside. CP agents began patrolling the grounds outside.
Seeing the scene, Buggy made no move to rush in. Instead, he chose a small inn nearby where his crew could rest and watch. Now was not the time to strike—acting in broad daylight would draw the Marines down on them in an instant. He would wait for nightfall, when the island grew quiet, and then make his move.
Meanwhile, Cricket had already reached Area 13. Following Buggy's instructions, he soon located Shakky's Rip-Off Bar.
Standing at the entrance, his heart pounded with excitement. He knew Buggy's background, and he guessed the "old acquaintance" could only be one of the legendary Roger Pirates. And among them, the only ones who could face down a Marine Admiral were the most fabled of all. The thought that he might actually meet such a legend made his blood race.
As he stood lost in thought, a female voice called out sharply:
"Hey, kid! What are you doing, blocking my doorway? Either come in for a drink or move along—you're scaring off my business."
It was Shakky, who had already noticed him staring blankly at her bar. From his expression, she could tell he wasn't there for the liquor, and she couldn't help but voice her irritation.
Cricket turned, studying her for a moment. From what Buggy had told him, he knew she wasn't the one he'd been sent to find. That meant the person he was looking for was the one behind the bar—her "old partner."
"You little brat, what are you staring at? Think you can ogle an old lady like me? Careful, or when my man sees, you'll regret it."
Shakky had noticed his gaze, though she sensed no lust in his eyes. Still, she wasn't about to let a strange kid stand around gawking at her.
Cricket hurriedly bowed his head. "My apologies, ma'am. You must be the proprietress here. I… I'm looking for someone inside. An old acquaintance."
At this, Shakky stepped outside and gave him a long, measuring look, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
"You know that old fool? What business do you have with him? Tell me directly."
She doubted this boy knew Rayleigh at all. If anything, she suspected ill intent. She wanted to test him before allowing him near.
Cricket didn't hesitate. "Our captain—his name is Buggy. He sent me to find an old acquaintance here."
The moment Shakky heard Buggy's name, surprise flashed across her face. Buggy, here on Sabaody? And looking for Rayleigh? Her curiosity deepened.
"So it's little Buggy, huh? … All right, come in."
Without another word, she led him into the bar. Then she called toward the back:
"Hey, old man! Get out here—someone's looking for you."
A voice rumbled lazily from the back: "Who is it? What do they want with me now?"
"You'll have to come see for yourself. I don't have time to play messenger."
"All right, all right—I'm coming."
A moment later, Silvers Rayleigh stepped into the room.
The instant Cricket laid eyes on him, his breath caught. His eyes went wide, his jaw slack in awe. He had never truly believed he would stand before the Dark King himself. But now, here he was—one of the greatest legends in history. And suddenly, everything made sense. With Rayleigh's strength, not only could he stall an Admiral… he might even defeat one outright. This was Buggy's hidden confidence.
Rayleigh smirked at his stunned expression. "Well, boy? Who are you? I don't recall knowing you."
Cricket quickly shook off his shock. "Sir Rayleigh—it's our captain, Buggy, who sent me. He asked me to find you."
Rayleigh's eyes softened, a hint of warmth in his gaze, though laced with curiosity.
"So that little brat made it to Sabaody, did he? Why hasn't he come himself? What's this about that he had to send you?"
Buggy's personality was not one to hide. If he was avoiding Rayleigh, something serious must have happened.
So Cricket explained everything—Tesoro's plight, Stella's capture by a Celestial Dragon, and the likelihood that a Marine Admiral would soon be dispatched.
Rayleigh listened in silence. By the end, admiration shone in his eyes. Buggy's handling of the matter hadn't shamed the Roger Pirates' legacy at all. If it had been their own crew, they too would never have let one of their own be trampled by a Celestial Dragon, no matter the consequences.
Rayleigh exhaled slowly. "So. That little brat sent you to ask this old fossil for help. Don't tell me… You expect me to defeat a Marine Admiral for you?"
Cricket flushed with embarrassment. "No, sir. Captain Buggy would never presume that. He only hopes that, if an Admiral comes, you might stall him for a short while. The rest—we'll handle ourselves."
Rayleigh nodded slowly, thoughtful. He had guessed as much. Buggy was no match for an Admiral yet. But the boy's request was modest and well within reason.
After a pause, he finally said, "Very well. I'll help—but only within limits. I won't fight to the death with an Admiral, nor will I hold him off indefinitely. I'll buy you some time, nothing more. You'll need to move quickly. As for the Marines, aside from the Admiral, you deal with them yourselves."
Helping Buggy was natural—after all, he was a child Rayleigh had watched grow up. But Rayleigh had his own boundaries. He had no interest in reshaping the world, no desire to interfere too much in Buggy's own voyage, and no intention of giving up the peaceful life he had carved out for himself here.Still, when Buggy truly needed him… he would not stand idly by.